What Happened to Dr. Joy Saini? Indian-Origin Surgeon Dies in NY Plane Crash With Family

Dr. Joy Saini, a renowned Indian-origin urogynecologist and founder of Boston Pelvic Health & Wellness, was tragically killed in a plane crash on Saturday in Copake, New York. She was among six victims, all part of an accomplished family of physicians, scholars, and student-athletes, whose lives were cut short during a holiday trip to the Catskills.

The crash has devastated communities across the U.S. and India, leaving behind a legacy of excellence, compassion, and dedication to women’s health.

Here’s everything we know about what happened to Dr. Saini and the fatal crash that shocked both the medical and Indian-American communities.

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Was Dr. Joy Saini Aboard the Plane That Crashed in New York?

Yes. Dr. Joy Saini was one of the passengers aboard the Mitsubishi MU-2B twin-engine plane that crashed in a muddy agricultural field in Copake, New York, on April 13. The aircraft, piloted by her husband Dr. Michael Groff, went down roughly 16 kilometers from its intended destination, Columbia County Airport.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the plane had taken off from Westchester County Airport earlier that day. Dr. Saini and her family were heading to the Catskills for a Passover holiday trip when tragedy struck.

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Who Were the Other Victims of the Crash?

In addition to Dr. Joy Saini, the crash claimed the lives of her immediate family and close loved ones:

• Dr. Michael Groff – Her husband and pilot, a neurosurgeon and lifelong aviation enthusiast.
• Karenna Groff – Her daughter, a former MIT soccer player and the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year.
• Jared Groff – Her son, a Swarthmore College graduate who worked as a paralegal.
• Alexia Couyutas Duarte – Jared’s partner and fellow Swarthmore alum, who planned to attend Harvard Law School this fall.
• James Santoro – Karenna’s boyfriend and recent MIT graduate.

The Groff-Saini family was widely respected across academic, athletic, and medical spheres. The crash marks an unthinkable loss of life, potential, and contribution.

Who Was Dr. Joy Saini?

Dr. Joy Saini was born in Punjab, India, and later moved to the United States with her parents, Kuljit and Gurdev Singh. She earned her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh, where she met her future husband, Dr. Michael Groff.

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Dr. Saini specialized in pelvic surgery and founded Boston Pelvic Health & Wellness, becoming a leading voice for women’s health advocacy. She was especially known for her work in improving access to care for underserved women and was praised for combining clinical precision with compassionate care.

She was also a mother of three—including surviving daughter Anika Groff—and remained closely connected to both her American and Indian heritage.

How Did the Plane Crash Happen?

Initial investigations by the NTSB revealed that the plane missed its initial approach to the airport and the pilot requested a second attempt. As controllers worked to provide a new flight path, they issued three low-altitude warnings, which went unanswered.

There was no distress signal, and a video recovered by investigators shows the plane was intact during descent but struck the ground at a very high rate of speed.

The aircraft had been recently upgraded with modern avionics and was operating under instrument flight rules (IFR), not visual rules. Authorities are exploring whether poor weather and visibility may have contributed to the crash.

The plane was found crushed and embedded in a muddy farm field, indicating a violent impact.

Dr. Joy Saini’s Legacy: A Life of Purpose, Lost Too Soon

Dr. Joy Saini’s life was a remarkable story of immigrant success, medical innovation, and family devotion. She inspired countless patients and peers with her advocacy for women’s wellness and equity in healthcare.

Alongside her husband and children, she embodied values of service, education, and ambition. Her tragic death—and that of her family—is being mourned not only in Massachusetts and New York, but also in her native Punjab and among the global Indian diaspora.

Dr. Saini is survived by her daughter Anika Groff, her mother Kuljit, and extended family including her siblings Rinne Groff, Yram Groff, and Prashant Saini.